Page images
PDF
EPUB

12

QUESTIONS,

ADAPTED TO THE

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS;

DESIGNED

TO BE USED IN ACADEMIES AND COMMON SCHOOLS.

BY REV. ISAAC JONES, A. M.
Preacher of the Gospel, and Teacher of Youth.

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY RICHARDSON AND LORD.

PRINTED BY J. H. A. FROST.

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT:

District Clerk's Office.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-ninth day of December, A. D. 1826, and in the fifty-first year of the Independence of the United States of America, RICHARDSON & LORD, of the said District, have deposited in this office, the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as proprietors, in the words following, to wit:

"Questions, adapted to the Constitution of the State of Massa. chusetts; designed to be used in Academies and common Schools. By Rev. Isaac Jones, A. M. Preacher of the Gospel, and Teacher of Youth."

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned; and also to an act, entitled, " An act, supplementary to an act, entitled, an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints."

JOHN W. DAVIS,

Clerk of the District of Massachusetts.

1

PREFACE.

THAT under Providence the support and perpetuity of government depend upon the piety and knowledge of the people, is a truth generally admitted. To deny this is absurd. What minister can preach the gospel without a knowledge of the Bible? What Civilian can ably defend the cause of his client without a knowledge of his profession? And who in this Commonwealth are qualified to elect, and be elected to offices of power and trust without a knowledge of the Constitution? Numerous and valuable books, on various subjects, have been published for the young, while the Grand Charter of the State has been almost wholly neglected! Many years since, it was recommended ✓ by the General Court "to be read as a school-book;" but it must be introduced into our high Seminaries, and be studied as a classic, or the English education of the sons of Massachusetts will not be complete-Under this impression my system of Questions is published, to make the task of the Instructer more easy, and to assist the Pupil in gaining a correct knowledge of the Constitution, which is reprinted verbatim. Those parts, which have become almost useless, on account of the lapse of time, the division of the State, and amendments, are included in brackets, and upon them no questions are proposed. This plan of teaching, and studying the Constitution is submitted with a hope, that it will meet with the approbation of the public, and be useful to the

rising generation.

Bradford, Oct. 27, 1826.

I. J.

1

1 !

PREAMBLE.

What is the end of the institution, maintenance, and administration of government ?

Whenever these great objects are not obtained, what have the people a right to do?

How is the body politic formed ?

What is it called ?

In framing a Constitution of Government, what is the duty of the people?

What did the people of Massachusetts acknowledge with grateful hearts, when they formed the Constitution?

PART I.

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, &c.

In a political sense how are all men born ?
What kind of rights have they?

What may be reckoned among these rights ?

Is it the right and duty of all men publicly, and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being ?

Does the Constitution provide for the security of all in worshipping God according to the dictates of their own consciences?

Upon what does the happiness of a people, good order, and preservation of civil government essentially depend? How can these be generally diffused through a community? Is the Legislature clothed with authority to require the several towns, parishes, precincts and other bodies politic, to make suitable provision for the public worship of God? Yes, and require them to maintain public protestant teachers of morality and religion at their own expense.

Why are the people required to do this?

Is the Legislature vested with authority to require the people statedly to attend upon the instructions of the public teachers of morality and religion?

« PreviousContinue »